Dean Elgar holds South Africa together against Sri Lanka

Jan 03, 2017, 02:31

Stephen Cook, man of the match in South Africa's 206-run win in the first Test in Port Elizabeth, was out to the fourth ball of the match before a run had been scored. Elgar's ton was especially well received by a woken-up crowd who were witness to more runs in the third session than in the first two combined.

De Kock was scoring at nearly a run a ball and Elgar whipped off his helmet to soak up the applause after scoring his 12th boundary to start 2017 in style.

That the Proteas were in a position to take advantage of the improving conditions was exclusively down to Elgar, who negotiated the first session with aplomb. All of a sudden, South Africa were 66 for 3 and in all sorts of trouble. While Sri Lanka can redeem themselves with some early wickets tomorrow, all eyes will be on how they fare against the Protea seamers later on in the day. As a result, he was largely untroubled in spite of the hard conditions.

Elgar and De Kock shared a 103-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Kumara's pace and bounce then earned him the wicket of JP Duminy five deliveries later for a duck, the left-hander gloving a lifter down the leg side and Mendis diving full length and clutching the ball in the webbing of his glove for a spectacular catch.

Those suspicions were confirmed when Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and put the South Africans in.

Elgar stood firm, bringing up his half-century with a boundary through the slips, and added 76 for the fourth wicket with skipper Faf du Plessis, who was dropped by Tharanga at mid-off but failed to cash in as he was sent on his way by Rangana Herath for 38.

Temba Bavuma could add only 10 runs before he became Kumara's third victim of the day.

It was, though, a blessing in disguise due to Quinton de Kock alleviating all the pressure on the centurion with a trademark blitz towards the end of the day.

When Mathews took the second new ball with Nuwan Pradeep off the field nursing an injury, it looked an ill-advised decision.

Elgar's solid 230-ball innings, which included 15 fours, finished in the 85th over of the day, when Lakmal had him caught behind. The wicketkeeper-batsman ended the day unbeaten on 68, leaving South Africa well poised for a strong total.

Lakmal finally ended Elgar's long stay at the crease when the opener edged behind, but De Kock was still there along with Kyle Abbott at the close.

She leaves behind a younger brother, Todd Fisher, and two half-sisters, Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher. The pair had been in a relationship for five years, but they divorced just a year after tying the knot.

Williams took the budding musicians under his wing while they decorated and cleaned his Jacaranda Club in Liverpool. Williams offered up the Beatles , and Koschmider agreed, but on the condition that the band become a quintet.

The scandal-ridden airbag maker is preparing to file for bankruptcy, Japanese news outlet Nikkei reported last month. Department of Justice to resolve allegations of criminal wrongdoing related to its faulty air bags.

From today, Wii U owners will be able to download Mario Kart 64, perhaps the most esteemed title in the storied racing franchise. Yet another change is the split screen mode when a team of four players joins hands to play the game.

Adele , 28, was out shopping in L.A. on Wednesday when she was photographed with a gold band on her ring finger. In a couple of years when I'll be back, you won't be able to get rid of me. "And Simon hasn't proposed yet!"

Wisconsin health officials say flu cases are on the rise and they are urging people to take precautions like getting a flu shot. The Health Department has a pay scale based on income to determine how much you will be charged.

The balls I did throw, they slipped out. "But over the last six weeks, that defense is drastically improved". Actually, the Jets have been embarrassed in three of the past four games, losing by 31, 21 and 38 points.

After the plane landed in Los Angeles around noon on Thursday, the 60-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital. Once on the ground she was rushed to hospital and is now on a ventilator at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Pochettino regards Southampton seethe as mark of respect
While Spurs continue to battle for a top-four place, the Saints sit in eighth, nine points adrift of their opponents on Wednesday. TOTTENHAM comfortably inflicted a second home defeat of the season on Southampton despite Harry Kane's very bad missed penalty.

Allardyce: Two points dropped for Palace
Palace are 17th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone and three points off the foot of the table. He was brought down in the 38th minute for a penalty which Gomes denied Benteke.